‘The Sydney’ International Piano Competition 2023 – Call for Entrants

A highlight of the international Arts calendar, the Sydney International Piano Competition (The Sydney) has announced their 2023 competition dates on 5-22 July, calling for international applications. This prestigious triennial competition will see 32 of the world’s finest pianists travelling to Australia to vie for top performance honours at the Sydney Opera House and at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music to win a raft of coveted prizes.

Over $200,000 in cash prizes is on offer for winners, as well as international concert engagements, CD recordings and career mentoring. Pianists from all nationalities are encouraged to apply, born between 23 July 1991 and 6 July 2005. Applications close on Monday 14 November 2022 with video entries consisting of a single unedited recording between 20 minutes and 35 minutes, including solo piano works by at least three composers.

The 2021 competition, which pivoted to an online format due to Covid, attracted pianists from more than 12 countries including China, Russia, Ukraine, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Canada, Uzbekistan, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, Italy and Hungary. Ukrainian/Italian born pianist Alexander Gadjiev scooped first prize with a stunning display of virtuosic skill, stealing the show and garnering almost half of all the prizes available.

The 2023 competition will again consist of three rigorous rounds – Preliminaries, Semi-Finals, and Finals, culminating in performances at the Sydney Opera House, with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. The competition is expected to attract over 280 applicants, narrowed down to 32 by a panel of pre-eminent international judges.

Artistic Director of The Sydney Piers Lane AO said:

“We look forward to the 2023 competition in Sydney being an event that will resonate for years to come. This ever-evolving competition is designed to attract outstanding young pianists from across the globe seeking to springboard their international career as a concert pianist.”

2021 Competition Winner Alexander Gadjiev said:

‘Winning this competition has brought a lustre to my career that I could never have imagined. It’s given me the opportunity to perform with some of the world’s best and I encourage all young talent to give it a go!”

Full competitor rules and regulations, prizes and how to apply on The Sydney website HERE.